WELLINGTON TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 483, 25 June 1890, Page 4

WELLINGTON TRAMWAY DISPUTE.

REPLY FROM DR. GRACE. Wellington, June 21. Dr. Grace has replied to the Secretary of the Trades and Labour Council as follows : —ln connection with the tramway difficulty : (1) After consultation with your fellow delegates (Mr Meyer and Mr Huchinson) on 31st May, in my house, you deliberately and with their unanimous consent undertook that we should have three months to improve traffic receipts before being called upon to make any increases to the emoluments of our employees. As confidence is the basis of all business, I hold you to that undertaking deliberately entered into and freely published everywhere. (2) Your delegates unanimously ad- . vised thatweshould charge penny sectionsall day, and issue the class of tickets suggested by them showing clearly for what section each passenger had paid. We have carried out in good faith these recommendations, relying on the promised sympathy and support of the Union. (3) At the expiration of three months, or sooner, if the improvement in traffic warrants it, we shall certainly improve the position and emoluments of our present hands, if they remain in our employ. The Trades and Labour Council have sent a final letter to the tramway proprietors, and have given them until this evening to reply to their communication of Friday last. The Council repudiated the statement of Dr. Grace that the delegates had give three months to improve the traffic receipts. It is almost certain the employees will be called out unless a reply of a favourable character is received. Dr. Grace replied to the Trades Labour Council as follows: “I am in receipt of your letter of this day’s date, and regret that you and your fellow delegates are reported to have repudiated their agreement entered into deliberately with me on the 31st of May. I do not believe that either you, Mr Hutchison, or Mr Meyer would deny the undertaking, and I am satisfied that every reporter present at the time would swear to the justness of the claim set up on the basis of that undertaking. The Trades and Labour Council is at liberty to call out its men, and will otherwise exercise its judgment in fthe matter. We are prepared to take the consequences, and are convinced that the public of Wellington will support us, and may God defend the right.” The Council consider the letter tonight.